Cochabamba, Bolivia by Otto H. Shultz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1911

Cochabamba, Bolivia

By Otto H. Shultz

OUR work is making headway in this city. The Spanish book, “Home and Health,” makes friends for us among the Catholics, and opens the way for doctrinal books. Several persons have already asked if I did not have other books for sale. One man has bought several books.

In one town I sold six copies of “Home and Health” in two hours, and took seventeen orders, which I delivered the next day. In one house I found a priest waiting to see me. The man of the house, who had ordered the book, said he would not take it until it had been examined by the priest, so I approached the priest, and gave him a canvass, after which he said it was all right. The gentleman who had ordered the book then took it, and I sold another in the same house.

The next morning I went to the early morning meeting in the church to hear what the priest would say, but his talk was in the Kechua language. (This was a priest to whom I had sold some tracts the day before.) Occasionally, I could hear the words, “Luther,” “evangelist,” “Protestant,” etc. As he seemed to be talking to the Indians about me, I hurried out and began to sell books. I sold one copy of “Christ Our Saviour,” one of “Home and Health,” five of Life and Health, and one of “Best Stories” during the time the priest was talking to his flock in the church. An hour later I left that place in the mail-coach. The Lord gives the necessary courage and strength. A procession passed while I was there, but I succeeded in getting into a house until it had gone by.

At the next station, I sold seven copies of Life and Health, Spanish, but could not do more. The priest was standing in the park watching me. People wanted to buy the books, but he did not allow it. They would say to me, “Our father [the priest] will not let us buy.” I approached him, telling him that the priests in Cochabamba had bought books from me, but he would neither speak to nor look at me. I was the only Protestant in town, so I soon left, as it would be dangerous to remain there overnight, and no one would want to give me a shelter. Here, also, I saw a procession coming, and I had to get out of its way, as all are expected to kneel.

In one house the people wished to buy, but could not do so because they had no permission from the priests. I told them that I sold books just the same, permission or no permission. I also told them that the priest was only a man like me, and that no one is holy except God. They were very much astonished to hear such blasphemy.

My daily experiences are giving me strength for the work. I find great joy and happiness in scattering the printed page. May the seed sown bring forth fruit to the glory of God.

OTTO H. SHULTZ.